Image figure processing method and device

ABSTRACT

In image figure processing method and apparatus, an original picture, in which inner spaces of readable outlines are painted with desired colors, is read out by an image scanner to extract boundary lines defining closed areas in the original picture. Subsequently, the average value of brightness values in each closed area is calculated for each of R, G and B components, and the average value is compared with a data table value stored in a memory to identify the attribute of each closed area. Thereafter, embroidery data are prepared to embroider the respective closed areas in the original picture so that the colors and shapes thereof match those of the original picture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an image figure processing method and device,and particularly to an image figure processing method and device inwhich a figure of closed-area shape and its attribute can be easilyobtained by reading out an original image of a pattern only once.

2. Description of Related Art

An embroidery-data preparing device having an image processing functionas described below has been practically used to prepare embroidery datawith which an embroidered pattern is sewn using an embroidery-sewingmachine. In the embroidery-data preparing device, an original picturehaving the outline of a pattern to be embroidered is prepared inadvance. It is then read out with an image scanner device to bedisplayed as pattern image data on a display unit. The outline of thepattern thus displayed is indicated at plural positions thereon with acoordinate input device, such as a mouse, to specify each figure ofclosed-area shape which is contained in the original picture, wherebyfigure image data comprising an assembly of coordinate points at theindicated plural positions on the outline of the pattern can be obtainedfor every figure. The embroidery data for the embroidery sewing areprepared on the basis of the figure image data of each figure, and alsothread-color information is provided as an attribute for each figurethrough thread-color indicating processing. As discussed herein, a"figure of closed-area shape" is defined as a figure whose inner spaceis completely surrounded by at least one line, that is, the figure iscompletely surrounded by its outline. In the following description, sucha figure of closed-area shape is referred to as a "closed figure".

Recently, it has been required to sew complicated and colorfulembroidered patterns and an automatic image figure processing device hasbeen used to meet this requirement. In this device, an original picturecontaining a colorful pattern is read out with a color image scannerdevice. Then the pattern image data of the original picture pattern,which are output from the image scanner device, are color-separated intothree primary color data (red(R), green(G) and blue(B)) to prepare threefigure image data of primary colors (R, G and B) each of which has abrightness value for the color. On the basis of the figure image data,each figure having the same color is specified, and the color of thefigure is also identified. Furthermore, in the automatic image figureprocessing device, the embroidery data for embroidery sewing areprepared on the basis of the figure image data for each figure.

As described above, in-the above embroidery data preparing device,having the image processing function in which the figure image data areprepared with the mouse on the basis of the pattern image data which areread out by the image scanner device and displayed on the display unit,the outline of the pattern on the display unit must be indicated overplural positions on the outline. Therefore, if a pattern to beembroidered has a large size and contains a large number of figures, thework of indicating the outline of the pattern with a mouse iscomplicated and cumbersome. In addition, it takes a long time to performsuch work, so that figure image data preparation efficiency is reduced.

Furthermore, in the automatic image figure processing device in which acolorful original picture pattern is read out with an image scannerdevice and the pattern image data of the read-out original picturepattern are color-separated to prepare figure image data containingbrightness-value data of primary colors, at a boundary portion betweenneighboring figures having different colors, the pattern image data maybe color-separated into figure image data having an intermediate colorbetween the different colors. Therefore, there occurs a problem that theoutline of a specified figure is deformed zigzag or the original figureis deformed due to occurrence of the intermediate color. In addition, ifany shade of color or unevenness in color density occurs in the color ofa colored figure, some portions having a different color density orbrightness are missed, or an excessively long image processing time isrequired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide an image figure processingmethod and an image figure processing device in which any closed figurecontained in an original picture pattern and its attribute can be simplyobtained for every figure, faithful to the original, by specifying thefigure on the basis of the outline thereof.

In order to attain the above object, according to the invention, animage figure processing device for reading out an original picturepattern which is drawn with a specific outline so as to be discriminableon image processing and in which closed areas surrounded by the specificoutline are colored (painted with colors) or marked so as to bediscriminable on the image processing, thereby to obtain pattern imagedata of the original picture pattern, and extracting image datarepresenting each figure on the basis of pattern image data of theoriginal picture pattern, is characterized by comprising image inputmeans for reading out the original picture pattern and converting thepattern to the pattern image data, closed-area specifying means forreceiving the pattern image data from the image input means to specifyat least one closed figure which is surrounded by the specific outlinein the original picture pattern, statistic calculation means forcalculating a statistic of the pattern image data of each figurespecified by the closed area specifying means on the basis of thepattern image data which are obtained by the image input means, andclosed area attribute identification means for identifying the attributeof each figure in the pattern image on the basis of the statisticcalculated by the statistic calculation means.

According to the image figure processing device of the invention, theimage input means reads out the original picture pattern containing thespecific outline which is discriminable on the image processing, andconverts the read-out pattern to the pattern image data, and then theclosed-area specifying means receives the pattern image data obtained bythe image input means to specify the one or more closed figures whichare surrounded by the specific outline in the pattern image. Thereafter,on the basis of the pattern image data obtained by the image inputmeans, the statistic calculation means calculates the statistic of thepattern image data of each figure which is specified by the closed-areaspecifying means, and the closed-area attribute identification meansidentifies the attribute of each figure in the pattern image on thebasis of the statistic obtained by the statistic calculation means.

As described above, the pattern image data of the original picturepattern containing the specific outline which is discriminable on theimage processing can be obtained, and the closed figures which aresurrounded by the specific outline can be specified on the basis of thepattern image data. In addition, the attribute of each figure in thepattern image is identified on the basis of the statistic of the patternimage data. Therefore, each figure contained in the original picturepattern can be prevented from being deformed or missed, and the closedfigures and their attribute can be accurately and simply obtained thatare faithful to the original picture pattern.

The statistic calculation means may be designed to calculate thestatistic of pattern image data on brightness of each of the threeprimary color components (R, G, B) of each figure. With this structure,even when the color of a figure is color-separated into an intermediatecolor due to a different color of its neighboring figure at a boundaryportion between the neighboring figures in the pattern original pattern,the color variation is ignored and, thus, the color of each figure inthe pattern image can be identified with high precision.

Furthermore, an average value of brightness of each of the three primarycolors (R, G, B) may be used as the statistic which is used for thecalculation by the statistic calculation means. In this case, even ifany shade of color or unevenness in color density occurs in the color ofeach figure, the differences are ignored, and the attribute of eachfigure in the pattern image can be identified with high precision.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment according to the invention will be described indetail with reference to the following figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image figure processing device;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system for the image figureprocessing device;

FIG. 3 shows the setting content of a brightness-value table;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the three-dimensional space of abrightness-value area;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the routine of the image figure processingcontrol;

FIG. 6 is an original picture pattern which is prepared by a linedrawing for coloring;

FIG. 7 is a table showing raster data in a pattern image data memory;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the outlines of figures contained in theoriginal picture pattern; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the sewing pattern in accordance withembroidery data obtained for each closed figure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment according to the invention will be describedhereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiment is an image figure processing device for preparingembroidery data. The embroidery data are prepared as follows. A colororiginal picture pattern 20 (see FIG. 6) is prepared by a line drawingfor coloring or the like, and the original picture pattern 20 is readout to obtain pattern image data. The pattern image data thus obtainedare subjected to image data processing to prepare embroidery data(stitch data for each stitch of a needle) to embroider the pattern on anarticle, such as, for example, a processed cloth.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image figure processing device 1 comprises aliquid crystal display 2 for displaying characters or images, operationkeys 3 and 4 for executing a read-out operation of the original picturepattern 20 and the image processing therefor, a portable color scannerdevice 5 for reading out the color original picture pattern 20, a flashmemory device (FMD) 7 (FIG. 2) in which a memory card 6 comprising anon-volatile flash memory is detachably mounted, and a control bodyportion 8 connected to the above elements. An input port 15 and anoutput port 16 (FIG. 2) are provided in the rear of the control bodyportion 8.

The input port 15 can be connected to a personal computer 18. When thepattern image data are prepared in the personal computer, the imagefigure processing device 1 can read out the pattern image data from thepersonal computer through the input port 15.

The output port 16 is connected to an embroidery-sewing machine.Embroidery data which are prepared in the image figure processing deviceI are transmitted through the output port 16 to the embroidery-sewingmachine. The embroidery-sewing machine forms an embroidered pattern onthe basis of the embroidery data thus prepared.

The color scanner device 5 reads in respective brightness-value signalsof three primary colors (R, G and B) per pixel while moved in apredetermined direction (auxiliary scanning direction) along the uppersurface of a color original picture pattern, converts the read-inbrightness-value signals to pattern image data, which are bit map datacomprising the brightness-value signals of the three primary colors forevery raster, and outputs the pattern image data.

In this embodiment, a pattern containing "a dish and a carrot", shown inFIG. 6, is used as the color original picture pattern 20 to be read outby the color scanner device 5. The "dish" 21 is "white" and the "carrot"is on the dish 21. The "root" 22 of the carrot is "red" and the "leaf"23 is "green". Further, each of the "dish" 21 , the "root" 22 and the"leaf" 23 is surrounded by a specific outline of "black" solid-line.These figures are drawn with the specific outline 30 so that the shapeof each figure is discriminable.

The control system of the image figure processing device 1 is structuredas shown in FIG. 2. A control device CD is built into the" control bodyportion 8. The input/output interface 13 of the control device CD isconnected to the two operation keys 3,4, the color scanner device 5, theflash memory device 7 and a display controller (LCDC) 9, that has avideo RAM for outputting display data to a liquid crystal display (LCD)2.

The control device CD includes a CPU 10, the input/output interface 13which is connected to the CPU 10 through a bus line 14 having a data busand an address bus, a ROM 11 and a RAM 12.

The ROM 11 stores a display driving control program to control thedisplay controller 9 on the basis of the read-out pattern image data, acontrol program for image figure processing control as shown in FIG. 5,and other control programs. The image figure processing control programis provided a specific outline calculation control program (specificoutline algorithm) to obtain the specific outline 30 through calculationon the basis of the brightness-value data of the specific outline.

The ROM 11 also contains a brightness-value table TB in which the rangesof the brightness values r, g and b of the three primary colors R, G andB are respectively allocated to eight kinds of colors "black", "red","green", "blue", . . . "white".

Here, the three-dimensional space S for a brightness value area which isthe solid space of the respective brightness values of the three primarycolors (R, G, B) is structured as shown in FIG. 4. In accordance withthe brightness values r, g and b of R, G and B, a brightness value areaspace S1 (not shown) is set to "black", a brightness-value area space S2is set to "red", a brightness-value area space S3 is set to "green", abrightness-value area space S4 is set to "blue". . . , and abrightness-value area space S8 is set to "white". In this embodiment,the maximum brightness value of each brightness value r, g, b is limitedto "15". Each brightness value r, g, b is represented with four bits asdescribed later.

The RAM 12 is provided with various kinds of memories, such as a memory12a (see FIG. 7) for storing pattern image data which is obtained byreading out the pattern image with the color scanner device 5 andconverting it to the pattern image data and a work memory fortemporarily storing the calculation results obtained in the CPU 10.

The routine of the image figure processing control which is executed inthe control device CD of the image figure processing device I will bedescribed with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5. In FIG. 5,reference characters Si (i=10, 20, 30, . . . ) represent each step. Theimage figure processing control contains an image figure processingmethod.

As described above, the color original picture pattern 20 is created bya line drawing for coloring, or similar process by an illustrator,before the image figure processing control is carried out. Duringcreation of the drawing, or basic pattern, the "dish" 21, the "root" 22of the carrot and the "leaf" 23 of the carrot are drawn with a solidoutline 30 of "black". Further, the closed areas, which are surroundedby the outline 30, are colored with desired colors. In this case, theclosed area corresponding to the "root" 22 is colored red, and theclosed area corresponding to the "leaf" 23 is colored "green" by theillustrator.

Upon manipulation of the operation key 3, the image figure processingcontrol is started. First, in step S10, the color scanner device 5 isshifted from a read-out start position of the original picture pattern20 in a shift direction M, shown in FIG. 6, to read out the originalpicture pattern 20. Then, the pattern image data input processing isconducted to convert the read-out original picture pattern 20 to patternimage data and store the pattern image data into the figure image datamemory 12. At this time, data (dn-1 to dn-N) obtained from apredetermined number pixels, for example, N=256, constituting a row inthe color scanner device 5, are stored in a main scanning direction forevery raster, or line.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the raster data of a first line (d1-1 tod1-256) are successively stored from the head of the pattern image datamemory 12a. Thereafter, the input pattern image data are successivelystored in correspondence to the original picture pattern 20 from theraster data of a second line (d2-1 to d2-256) in the auxiliarydirection, corresponding to the direction M, that is, raster data (d3-1to d3-256), raster data (d4-1 to d4-256), . . . , to raster data (dn-1to dn-256). Each raster data d is represented with 12 bits. The rasterdata d of 12 bits contains brightness-value data r of 4 bits for red(R), brightness-value data g of 4 bits for green (G) andbrightness-value data b of 4 bits for blue (B).

Alternatively, pattern image data which are prepared in an externalpersonal computer may be read in through the input port 15 and stored inpattern image data memory 12a.

Subsequently, in step S20, the closed figures (closed-area type figures)which are surrounded by the outline 30 contained in the original picturepattern 20 are specified on the basis of the pattern image data storedin the pattern image data memory 12a to perform figure specifyingprocessing.

Because the outline 30 is drawn with black, and the outline 30 separatesspecific parts of the pattern, figure-outline extraction processing isconducted on a link component figure which comprises pixels having thedata value corresponding to the black color in the pattern image (afigure formed of an assembly of pixels which are adjacent to one anotherand linked to one another). The figure-outline extraction processing isperformed by applying a well-known boundary line tracing algorithm as animage figure processing method, for example. The judgment on linkage maybe made on the basis of any one of a four-linkage judgment or aneight-linkage judgment. Because the algorithm used may be chosen fromknown algorithms, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

When the boundary line tracing algorithm is directly applied to thecolor bit map image data, the judgment on linked black pixels may bemade on the basis of a judgment as to whether the RGB brightness valueof a pixel satisfies the following inequality: R<2, G<2 and B<2 whichdefines black.

As an alternative manner, the color image may be temporarilycolor-separated with suitable RGB brightness threshold values to convertit to monochromatic pattern bit map image (white and black image)comprising only an outline figure, and then a boundary line tracingalgorithm for an ordinary binary image may be used.

As a result of the figure specifying processing, as shown in FIG. 8, theclosed area W1 of a figure "dish" 21 is specified by an outline 31, theclosed area W2 of a figure "root" 22 is specified by an outline 32, andthe closed area W3 of a figure "leaf" 23 is specified by an outline 33.An outline W0 at the outside is neglected. The closed areas arespecified by the elements or sub-outlines 31, 32, 33 of the outline 30as described above. Thus, specification of the closed areas can beperformed without deforming each closed area or without any closed areabeing missing.

Subsequently, in step S30, a statistic on the pattern image data foreach of the closed areas W1 to W3 is calculated. In this case, anaverage value is calculated as the statistic. That is, the average valueof each of the brightness-value data r_(i) for red, the brightness-valuedata g_(i) for green and the brightness-value data b_(i) for bluecontained in each raster data d_(i) is calculated on the basis of thepattern image data contained in the inner areas of the closed areas W1to W3. The brightness average value Rh for red is calculated accordingto a calculation equation: Rh=(Εr_(i))/N, the brightness average valueGh for green is calculated according to a calculation equation:Gh=(Εg_(i))/N, and the brightness average value Bh for blue iscalculated according to a calculation equation: Bh=(Εb_(i))/N. Asdescribed above, the brightness average value is calculated for thebrightness-value data of each of the three primary colors for each ofthe closed area W1 to W3, so that the shade of color and unevenness incolor density in each closed area can be neglected because each closedarea is set to a single color.

Subsequently, at step S40, an identification of the attribute of eachfigure, that is, of the "color" of each figure is defined using thestatistic data on the pattern image data obtained at the step S30, thatis, on the basis of the brightness average values Rh, Gh and Bh of thethree primary colors. The brightness-value area space S1-S8 to whicheach closed area belongs is identified from the brightness-value areaspaces S1 to S8 on the basis of the brightness average values Rh, Gh andBh of red, green and blue which were calculated for each closed area onthe basis of the data in the brightness-value table TB (FIG. 3).Thereafter, the color corresponding to the identified brightness-valuearea space (any one of S1 to S8) is designated as the color of theclosed area.

For example, with respect to the closed area W1 for the figure "dish"21, assume each of the brightness average values Rh, Gh and Bh for red,green and blue is in the range from "8" to "15" in brightness value.Thus the space of the brightness area for the closed area of the "dish"21 is set to S8. Therefore, the color of the closed area W1 isidentified as "white". With respect to the closed area W2 of the figure"root" 22, assume the brightness average value Rh for red is above "8",however, each of the brightness average values Gh and Bh for green andblue is below "7", so that the space of the brightness area for theclosed area is set to S2. Therefore, the color of the closed area W2 isidentified as "red". Furthermore, with respect to the closed area W3 ofthe figure "leaf" 23, assume the brightness average value Gh for greenis above "8", however, each of the brightness average values Rh and Bhfor red and blue is below "7", so that the space of the brightness areafor the closed area is set to S3. Therefore, the color of the closedarea W3 is identified as "green".

Subsequently, at step S50, a needle location point for each stitch iscalculated on the basis of the outline for specifying the closed area ofeach figure which is obtained at the step S20, whereby embroidery dataembroider each closed figure can be prepared. Furthermore, theembroidery data for each closed figure is provided with thread colorinformation which is obtained for each closed figure at the step S40.The embroidery data for the plural closed figures are stored into thememory card 6 installed into the flash memory device 7. Thereafter, thecontrol is completed and the process returns to the main routine.

The memory card 6 can then be installed into an embroidery-sewingmachine 17. The embroidery data are successively read out from thememory card 6 and the pattern, which replicates the original picturepattern 20, is embroidered on the .article, such as the processed cloth.On the basis of the thread color information, the name of the colorcorresponding to the required thread color information is displayed onthe embroidery-sewing machine. Alternatively, the embroidery data whichare prepared by the image figure processing device 1 may be transmittedto the embroidery-sewing machine through the output port 16.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the embroidery data are prepared on thebasis of the outline 31 of the closed area W1, and the figure "dish" 21is satin-stitched with embroidery thread of "white"; the embroidery dataare prepared on the basis of the outline 32 of the closed area W2, andthe figure "root" 22 is satin-stitched with embroidery thread of "red";and the embroidery data are prepared on the basis of the outline 33 ofthe closed area W3, and the figure "leaf" 23 is satin-stitched withembroidery thread of "green".

Next, the operation of specifying the figures contained in the originalpicture pattern 20 and identifying the attribute (color) of each figurewill be described.

First, the color original pattern 20 are prepared by the line drawingand colored. At this time, the outline 30 and the closed areas which areenclosed by portions of the outline 30 in the original picture pattern20 are colored or marked. Here, the term "mark" means an operation ofspecifying the color of the inner side of the closed area, and forexample, any character such as "x" or the like may be written at aposition within the closed area using a pen with colored ink. In thiscase, the color within the closed area is identified except for "white".

Subsequently, the original picture pattern which has been colored ormarked are read out by the color scanner device 5, and then converted topattern image data containing the three brightness value data r, g and bfor the three primary colors. The pattern image data are stored in thepattern image data memory 12a. On the basis of the pattern image data,the outline portion enclosing each closed area is obtained on the basisof the pattern image data thereby defining each closed area W.

Subsequently, on the basis of the pattern image data, the respectivebrightness average values Rh, Gh and Bh for the three primary colors arecalculated as the statistic of the pattern image data in each closedarea W thus specified. Furthermore, the attribute "color" of closed areaW in the pattern image is identified on the basis of the brightnessaverage values Rh, Gh and Bh.

Alternatively, each closed area W can be set to be monochromatic, andthus even when the shade of color or unevenness in color density existsin the attribute (color) of closed area in the original picture pattern,they have no effect on the final pattern image. Each closed area W isspecified by the portion of the outline 30 so that each closed area Wcontained in the original picture pattern can be prevented from beingdeformed or missed. Accordingly, each closed area, and the attributethereof, can be obtained with high precision so as to be faithful to theoriginal picture pattern 20.

In place of the average brightness values Rh, Gh and Bh of the threeprimary colors, the median or maximum value of the brightness values maybe used. Furthermore, in place of the color scanner device 5, an imagescanner device for white and black may be used to prepare pattern imagedata with grey scale (density values) and, in place of the brightnessvalue, data on hue may be used.

In the above embodiment, the attribute of each closed area which isidentified on the basis of the statistic is not necessarily coincidentwith the attribute of original data on which the statistic is based. Forexample, different stitching directions may be allocated as an attributeto colors, that is, the stitching direction may be varied in accordancewith the color as an attribute. Specifically, "longitudinal stitch" maybe allocated to "green" while "lateral stitch" is allocated to "red".

The invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Variousmodifications may be made to the above embodiment without departing fromthe subject matter of the invention on the basis of existing techniquesand techniques which are obvious to persons skilled in the art.

In the above embodiment, the name of thread color is directly displayedon the embroidery-sewing machine, however, a message "please exchangethread" may be displayed on the basis of the data indicating thenecessity for an exchange of thread.

Further, in the above embodiment, the outline WO at the outside and theboundaries between the closed areas are not embroidered. However, theoutline WO and the boundaries between the closed areas may beembroidered together with the inside of the closed areas.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image figure processing device,comprising:image input means for reading out an original picturepattern, which is drawn with an outline so as to be discriminable duringimage processing, and converting the pattern to the pattern image data;closed-area specifying means for receiving the pattern image data fromsaid image input means to specify data for at least one closed areawhich is surrounded by a portion of the outline in the original picturepattern; calculation means for calculating a representation value of thepattern image data for each figure specified by said closed areaspecifying means on the basis of the pattern image data which areobtained by said image input means; closed area attribute identificationmeans for identifying attribute data for each closed area in the patternimage on the basis of the representative value calculated by saidcalculation means; and image data creating means for extracting imagedata representing each closed area on the basis of the attribute dataidentified by said closed area attribute identification means.
 2. Theimage figure processing device according to claim 1, wherein saidcalculation means calculates the representative value of the patternimage data based on brightness of each of three primary color (RGB)components for each closed area.
 3. The image figure processing deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein said calculation means calculates anaverage value based on the brightness of each of the three primary color(RGB) components as the representative value of each closed area.
 4. Theimage figure processing device according to claim 1, further comprisingembroidery data preparing means for preparing embroidery data on thebasis of the image data extracted by said image data creating means. 5.The image figure processing device according to claim 1, furthercomprising stitch data preparing means for preparing stitch data foreach closed area based on the image data extracted by said image datacreating means.
 6. The image figure processing device according to claim1, further comprising an input port, wherein said image input meanscomprises a computer connected to the image figure processing devicethrough said input port.
 7. The image figure processing device accordingto claim 1, wherein said image input means comprises a scanning device.8. The image figure processing device according to claim 4, furthercomprising an output port, wherein the image figure processing device isconnected to a sewing machine through said output port.
 9. The imagefigure processing device according to claim 4, further comprisingstorage means for storing the embroidery data output by said embroiderydata preparing means.
 10. The image figure processing device accordingto claim 5, further comprising an output port, wherein the image figureprocessing device is connected to a sewing machine through said outputport.
 11. The image figure processing device according to claim 5,further comprising storage means for storing the embroidery data outputby said embroidery data preparing means.
 12. An image figure processingmethod for creating sewing data, comprising the steps of:reading out anoriginal picture pattern; converting the original picture pattern topattern image data; processing the pattern image data to identify eachclosed area in the pattern image; specifying a discriminator of thepattern image data of each closed area; identifying an attribute of eachclosed area in the pattern image on the basis of the discriminator;creating embroidery stitch data for each closed area on the basis of andincorporating the attribute for that closed area; and storing theembroidery stitch data in a memory device for subsequently sewing by anembroidery-sewing machine.
 13. The method according to claim 12, whereinthe step of specifying a discriminator comprises the steps ofcalculating a representative value that identifies a characteristic ofeach closed area.
 14. An embroidery stitch data creation device,comprising:an input device for inputting a pattern; discriminating meansfor defining closed areas making up the pattern; conversion means forconverting each closed area within the closed areas into pixel datadefining at least one characteristic of each pixel; determining meansfor analyzing all pixel data for each closed area to define an areacharacteristic; assigning means for assigning an attribute to each areacharacteristic; and stitch data preparing means for preparing stitchdata for each closed area that incorporates the attribute.
 15. Thedevice according to claim 14, wherein said conversion means includesdiscrimination means for defining each pixel in terms of a red colorcomponent, a green color component and a blue color component.
 16. Thedevice according to claim 14, wherein said determining means performs anoperation selected from a group consisting of calculating an averagevalue, or selecting a one of maximum value, a minimum value or a medianvalue to define the area characteristic.
 17. The device according toclaim 14, further comprising an input port, wherein said input devicecomprises a computer connected to the embroidery stitch data creationdevice through said input port.
 18. The device according to claim 14,wherein said input device comprises a scanning device.
 19. The deviceaccording to claim 14, further comprising an output port, wherein theembroidery stitch data creation device is connected to a sewing machinethrough said output port.
 20. The device according to claim 14, furthercomprising storage means for storing the stitch data output by saidstitch data preparing means.
 21. The device according to claim 14,wherein the closed areas are defined by being colored.
 22. The deviceaccording to claim 14, wherein the closed areas are defined by beingmarked by outline segments.
 23. The devices according to claim 14,wherein reading out the original picture pattern includes identifyingcolors or hatching representing colors in the original picture pattern.